Herald Journal, Mar. 22, 2004

Man arrested after high speed chase

By Ryan Gueningsman

McLeod County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Schermann got more than he bargained for after attempting to pull over a vehicle for a speeding violation March 14.

Todd Michael Andersen, 34, of Milaca, was radared at 71 in a 55 mph zone on Highway 15 south of Hutchinson, according to a criminal complaint. Schermann pursued the vehicle with lights and sirens activated, and Andersen came to a complete stop at the side of the road.

After stopping, Andersen “took off driving northbound at a high rate of speed,” according to the complaint, and turned west on 130th Street.

Schermann followed in pursuit. Andersen stopped on the side of the road and backed up and rammed into the squad car, according to the complaint, and again took off driving eastbound at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.

Andersen again stopped and attempted to ram the squad car two more times, before being stopped by spikes that had been set out, which punctured the front two wheels, according to the complaint.

The vehicle then traveled into a field and got stuck in the mud. Andersen resisted arrest and had to be maced.

It was discovered that Andersen had a felony warrant out of Mille Lacs County for terroristic threats, said McLeod County Sheriff Wayne Vinkemeier.

Andersen was charged in McLeod County for fleeing a peace officer, which bears a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine, as well as second degree assault with a dangerous weapon, which bears a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment and/or a $14,000 fine. He has since been released on $30,000 bail, and has a court date scheduled for Friday, April 16.

Schermann was not injured, although his squad car received more than $1,000 worth of damages from the incident. He is a full-time Lester Prairie Police Officer who also works part-time for the McLeod County Sheriff’s Department.